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Google Maps is a great tool for finding your way from point A to point B. When you’re looking for directions you have options to “Drive There” and “Take Public Transit”. The problem is, it’s not very bike friendly.

I’ve done a how to before on finding a bike route, however there’s a petition going at www.googlemapsbikethere.org to have Google Maps add a “Bike There” option:

Help us show the Google Maps team that we really really want the ability to get bicycle route information via the main Google Maps interface. We can get driving directions for cars, we get can wonderful mass transit information, and now we want the ultimate in sustainability and self-reliance and exercise and healthy living – bicycle route information.

Google Maps is already working on this. Google will be adding biking as an option, just like transit is now on Google Maps, for 200 US cities in Summer 2008, with the goal of eventually having every city in the world covered.

This is a great idea! I have signed and will point folks there as I can. I live in an area with a great trail system, (Twin Cities, MN) where I have commuted to three different employers from three different locations almost all on trails but Google maps didn’t help since the trails are not shown.

As for the “Avoid Highways” check box, I think Google means “Avoid Interstates” which is a step in the right direction but it does offer completely impossible bike routes including 65 Mph highways with no shoulder.

…tim, you should make sure this article is recycled before it roles off the bottom into the archives…the list has doubled since i signed several days ago but methinks google’s gonna wanna see bigger numbers before they commit…

…? to the #6 poster:::have you ever noticed how some individual’s or company’s advertising is annoying enough that you make a mental note to never buy or use that product ???…really ???…